$1,000,000 Per Keystroke? Let's Talk!

According to one of the senior members of the Private Sector Consultative Group of the WCO, that's the cost per keystroke to multinational international traders every time a government agency or regulatory body imposes new guidelines or requirements on them. I have no idea how accurate this estimate is but even if it costs $10,000 per keystroke, that's enough to put some SME international traders out of business. And it's enough reason for TBI members to be concerned about the impact that 10+2 and the SAFE framework will have on their businesses. TBI addressed the CBP 10+2 issue with members recently. Now it's on to the WCO and the SAFE Framework.

On June 10, 2007 Trade Bridge International 6000 SME importer and exporters began whispering to Michael Schmitz, Director of Facilitation and Compliance for the WCO. Today, July 18th, 2007, that whispering grew to a harmonized dialogue between TBI and the WCO. Director Schmitz, Mr. Simon Royals of the WCO - Facilitation Sub-Directorate (Procedures) and yours truly had the first of, what I hope are, numerous conversations about the interests of SMEs and the impact of WCO initiatives on their operations.

As the sponsors of TBI accurately perceived before TBIs formation, there were no national or international organizations speaking exclusive on behalf of SME importers and exporters. Thus, not only is CBP anxious to reach our members as demonstrated by TBI's recent seminar-webinar on 10+2, the WCO is eager to hear from our SME members as well. The exchange between the WCO and TBI today confirmed that perception.

Director Schmitz tentatively invited me to speak on behalf of the Trade Bridge SME members at the World Customs Forum scheduled for February of 2008 in Brussels. This would be the first formal introduction of TBI to the WCO and it would be an opportunity for SME importers and exporters to be heard directly at the international level. While these are all preliminary plans, the tone and content of the conversations were very positive for TBI members.

Director Schmitz has also offered to speak to an audience of TBI members in the U.S. on the topic of the SAFE Framework of standards to secure and facilitate global trade. Coincidentally Richard DiNucci, Program Director for CBPs Security Filing (10+2) has offered to speak to TBI members again to update them on the progress of the Security Filing. (Mr. DiNucci spoke to TBI members on June 7, 2007.) Note that 10+2 and the SAFE framework are not the same and an opportunity for SMEs to hear from both CBP and the WCO could be both timely and eye-opening for SMEs, CBP and the WCO.

We'll keep you posted on how, when and where you can learn more about the impact of the tightening security environment on your business operations. And, as we suggested with direct-filing of customs entries, we are committed to finding solutions that mitigate the negative impact of the changing security and regulatory environment. To learn more about securing your supply chain contact the guys at Trade Innovations. Not only can they help secure your supply chain, they can find ways to reduce your costs of importing.